The war of words between the White House and Democratic congressional leaders escalated sharply on Friday after House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries launched a blistering attack against White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, calling her “demented” and “ignorant.” The comments came as tensions flared over the ongoing government shutdown and growing partisan clashes surrounding immigration, foreign policy, and healthcare funding.
During a press briefing earlier in the day, Jeffries accused Republicans of aligning with extremist ideologies, saying recent actions from GOP lawmakers “reveal them as Nazi sympathizers and anti-Semitic.” He then singled out Leavitt, saying, “And then you got Karoline Leavitt, who’s sick. She’s out of control. And I’m not sure whether she’s just demented, ignorant, a stone-cold liar, or all of the above.”
Jeffries was responding to remarks Leavitt made in a Fox News interview the previous evening, where she criticized Democratic leaders over their handling of foreign conflicts and domestic policy. Referring to Democratic New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s controversial refusal to call for Hamas to disarm, Leavitt said, “This interview proved that the Democrat Party’s main constituency are made up of Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens, and violent criminals. That is who the Democrat Party is catering to.”
When asked about Jeffries’ attack, Leavitt stood by her comments, telling Fox News, “Hakeem and Democrats are lashing out because they know what I said is true.” She continued, “The Democrat Party’s elected officials absolutely cater to pro-Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens, and violent criminals. House Democrats voted against a resolution condemning Hamas following the horrific Oct. 7 terrorist attacks, and Democrats cheered on pro-Hamas radicals while they hijacked America’s college campuses and harassed Jewish students.”
Leavitt also criticized Democratic policies on immigration and healthcare, pointing to proposals in the “Big Beautiful Bill” that would expand Medicaid eligibility to include undocumented immigrants. Republicans estimate the cost of such a measure could reach $200 billion. “Democrats opened our borders and allowed tens of millions of illegal aliens into our country over the past four years, including rapists and murderers, because they view them as future voters,” Leavitt asserted.
The exchange unfolded amid an ongoing government shutdown that entered its 17th day on Friday. Republicans, led by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, have pressed Democrats to accept a standalone vote to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, which expire at year’s end. Democrats, however, are demanding broader negotiations on healthcare funding before agreeing to reopen the government.
“It’s a system they created, but I’m happy to hear them out,” Thune said in a social media post. “But there’s one condition: End the Schumer Shutdown. I will not negotiate under hostage conditions, nor will I pay a ransom.”
As both parties dig in, the heated rhetoric between officials like Jeffries and Leavitt underscores the deepening divisions in Washington — where political combat increasingly plays out through personal attacks, viral sound bites, and televised sparring rather than legislative compromise.